Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-02

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are bad for the environment.

What damage does plastic do to the environment?

What can be done by governments and individuals to solve this problem?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 7.5)

Plastic pollution has become a serious environmental problem in many parts of the world. Plastic bags, bottles and packaging are widely used because they are cheap and convenient, but they can cause significant damage to the natural environment. Governments and individuals must therefore take action to reduce plastic waste.

One major environmental problem caused by plastic is pollution of land and water. Unlike organic waste, most plastic takes a very long time to break down. As a result, large amounts of plastic accumulate in landfills, rivers and oceans. This can seriously harm wildlife because animals may eat plastic or become trapped in it. For example, sea turtles and other marine animals can mistake plastic bags for food, which can lead to injury or death. Furthermore, plastic waste can block drainage systems and contribute to flooding in urban areas.

Governments can play an important role in tackling this issue by introducing stricter regulations on single-use plastics. For instance, they could ban or tax plastic bags and require businesses to use environmentally friendly alternatives. Governments should also improve recycling facilities and organise public awareness campaigns to encourage responsible waste disposal. Individuals, on the other hand, can reduce their own plastic consumption by using reusable shopping bags, bottles and containers. They should also separate recyclable waste from other rubbish and avoid buying products with excessive plastic packaging.

In conclusion, plastic causes serious damage to both land and marine ecosystems and can threaten wildlife. Governments should introduce effective laws and improve recycling systems, while individuals should reduce their use of single-use plastics and recycle whenever possible. If both groups take responsibility, plastic pollution can be significantly reduced.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have fully addressed all parts of the prompt. You clearly identified the environmental damage caused by plastic, specifically mentioning land and water pollution, harm to wildlife, and urban drainage issues. Furthermore, you provided distinct, actionable solutions for both governments and individuals. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the impact on sea turtles and the suggestion of public awareness campaigns. Your position is clear from the introduction through to the conclusion, and the response is balanced and focused throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the problem and the solutions is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'Unlike organic waste', 'For example', 'Furthermore', and 'on the other hand' to link your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the problem, the solutions, and the conclusion. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the topic. Phrases like 'significant damage', 'accumulate in landfills', 'single-use plastics', and 'environmentally friendly alternatives' show a strong command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is accurate and natural, it is generally functional rather than highly sophisticated. To reach the highest band, you could incorporate more precise collocations or less common academic vocabulary to add nuance to your arguments, but your current usage is precise and error-free.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

Your writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If both groups take responsibility...') and relative clauses ('...which can lead to injury or death'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is accurate throughout. There are no noticeable grammatical slips that impede communication. The range of structures is sufficient to convey your ideas clearly and effectively, demonstrating a strong grasp of English syntax.

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